MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
October 7, 2021
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Councilofthe District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law
2-142; D.C. Official Code 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 213 of the District of Columbia
Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official
Code 3-1202.13), I am pleased to nominate the following person:
Ms. Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert
HalfStreet, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(Ward 6)
for reappointment as a consumer memberofthe BoardofProfessional Counseling, for a term to end
July 1, 2024.
Enclosed you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-
mentioned nominee together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation
process.
I would appreciate the Councils earliest considerationof this nomination for confirmation. Please do
not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor's Office of Talent and
Appoint: should the Council require additional information.
Muriel Bowser
 hairman Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
To confirm the reappointment of Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert to the Boardof Professional
Counseling,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
resolution may be cited as the BoardofProfessional Counseling Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert
Confirmation Resolution of 2021.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Ms. Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert
Half Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(Ward 6)
as a consumer member of the BoardofProfessional Counseling, pursuant to section 213 of the
29 District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C.
30 Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code 3-1202.13), for a term to end July 1, 2024.
31 Sec. 3. The Councilof the District of Columbia shall transmita copyof this resolution,
32 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
33 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
34
 Vanessa U. Ruffin-Colbert
. EDUCATION
Higher Education: George Washington University
Center for Excellence in Public Leadership
District of Columbia Neighborhood College, Cohort 2
Washington, DC 20052
Graduated: 2003
Additional Credit Hours: DC Teachers College
12 credit hours, Year 1976
Studio Arts Major
Seton Hill College now a University
1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
Credit Hours Eamed: 132 credit hours
Year Degree Received: 1974 BachelorofArts
High School: McKinley Technical Senior High School (Art Major)
TStNE
DC 20002
Year Diploma Received: 1970
Tam an active senior citizen, having began my work experience in 1967 with my first job in the
Day Care Field. I began mycareer with the US DepartmentofInterior 1971 with summer
employment working with The Handicapped Summer Camps in the District of Columbia's
Day Camps. Upon completion of my BA Degree I worked various positions in the education,
occupational training and studio arts, until entering a position within DC Parks and Recreation,
as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist atthe then new DCTR Center in 1977. I held numerous
titles (Visual Camp Coordinator, Transitional Leisure Specialist, Mainstream Component
Coordinator and TR Travelers Program Coordinator) during my career with Recreation. My
separation/retirement in 1994 hasn't ended my interest in utilizing my skills in various areas in
the District of Columbia's (H St. Mainstreet, Preservation & Planning and Development, SWNA,
Community Safety and numerous Ward 6 issues). I continue to utilize my artistic talents, to
meet the needsof a vastly diverse, growing population in my community and pride myself, in
being an active, productive memberofsociety.
WORK EXPERIENCE
 JOBA
Employers Name: Trader Joe's
1914 14th St NW.
Washington, DC 20009
Supervisors Name: Tom Senior, (202) 986-1591 {w}
Dates: March 2014 ~ Sept. 2016
Number of Hours Worked Per Week: 35
Salary: $17.65 per/hour
Job Title: Crew Member, Lead
Duties and Responsibilities:
As a memberofthe Crew, I am responsible for and expected to doalittle of everything:
+ Including but not limited to running the cash registers
+ Shipping and receiving, loading and unloading deliveries, inventory and stocking shelves
+ Building displays, cleaning the floor, answering questions about Trader Joes products
and just generally making sure that every customer has afun, friendly and informative
shopping experience
+ Maintain EPA guidelines, keep all areas clean and environmentally safe or free from any
hazard
+ Failure with products, evaluation of new items, as well as monitor sales, inventory/quota;
etc. and keep management informed
+ answer questions about products and making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly
and informative shopping experience
+ Provide recommendations/suggestions for improvement and enhancement where needed
+ Demonstrate products, nutritional value, what is available, holistic benefits and product
use as needed (i.e. daily testing of new items, displays, product visibility, simplicity of
operation for customer satisfaction and/or product awareness); with recommendations
+ Assemble information, displays for planned activities within store, as well as the overall
operation and set-up
+ Clean and maintain machines, refrigeration/freezers, food safety temperatures and report
any anomalies; etc. to managers as needed
+ Train new and/or existing staff
+ As well as other duties as assigned
JOBB
Employer's Name: Trader Joes
612 N. St. Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Supervisor's Name: Lock Eldridge, (703) 548-0611 {w}
Dates: April 2011 - March 2014
Number of Hours Worked Per Week: 25-30
Salary: $11.00 per/hr.
 Job Title: Crew Member
Duties and Responsibilities: (same as above)
Expected to doa little of everything:
Including but not limited to running the cash registers
Shipping and receiving, loading and unloading deliveries, inventory and stocking shelves
Building displays, cleaning the floor, answering questions about Trader Joes products
and just generally making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly and informative
shopping experience
Maintain EPA guidelines, keep all areas clean and environmentally safe or free from any
hazard
Failure with products, evaluation of new items, as well as monitor sales, inventory/quota;
etc, and keep management informed
answer questions about products and making sure that every customer has a fun, friendly
and informative shopping experience
Provide recommendations/suggestions for improvement and enhancement where needed
Demonstrate products, nutritional value, what is available, holistic benefits and product
use as needed (i.e. daily testing of new items, displays, product visibility, simplicity of
operation for customer satisfaction and/or product awareness); with recommendations
Assemble information, displays for planned activities within store, as well as the overall
operation and set-up
Clean and maintain machines, refrigeration/freezers, food safety temperatures and report
any anomalies; etc. to managers as needed
Train new and/or existing staff
As well as other duties as assigned
JOBC
+ Employers Name: US Census Bureau
+ 100 S Independence Mall W # 410
+ Philadelphia, PA 19106
+ 215)717-1800
Supervisors Name: Kenneth W. Prewitt's
Dates: 2010
Numberof Hours Worked Per Week: 35
Salary: $20.00 per/hr.
Job Title: Enumerator
Duties and Responsibilities:
NARFU 2010
Census Takers received binderof addressesin targeted areas for any/all addressees
who failed to complete the census form
upon receiptofbinder, responsible obtaining and/or tracking daily assignments in
allocated area as received; utilizing maps, tracked data, other research tools
 + responsible for reporting to each location (door-door) to enumerate, update and complete
questionnaire for the housing unit or its occupants or scheduled appointments for return
visits
+ properly annotate occupancy utilizing (short form/long form); gathering, listing and
calculating verified applicants ISyears of age or older
+ vacant units and sites on census day, required to complete appropriate housing questions
on designated questionnaire by interviewing a knowledgeable person, such as a neighbor
or apartment manager
+ ifdemolished or otherwise nonexistent under census definitions, required to complete
separate questionnaire that provides (reason why the unit should be deleted from the
census address list, by interviewing a knowledgeable respondent such as a neighbor or
apartment manager)
+ report any anomalies as encounter by annotating, updating and retrieving data for
comparison and/or accuracy (missing, unavailable
* houses without numbers and street name addresses in rule areas, can be difficult to find
and were identified using spot maps to enumerate/recognize each address location for
proper accounting
. JOBD
+ Employer's Name: US Census Bureau
+ 100 Independence Mall W # 410
+ Philadelphia, PA 19106
+ (215)717-1800
Supervisors Name: Kenneth W. Prewitt's
Dates: 2000
Numberof Hours Worked Per Week: 35
Salary: $15.75 per/hr.
Job Title: Enumerator
Duties and Responsibi s: NARFU 2000 (same as above)
. JOBE
+ Employer's Name: US Department of Interior, DC Parks and Recreation
* Headquarters Information & Customer Service Division, Customer Assistance Office
* Washington, DC 20529
Supervisors Name: Helen Hillman, (505) 463-3132
Dates: June 1977 November 1994 (Retired)
Number of Hours Worked Per Week: 40
Salary: $18,000 $48,000 per/year
Job Title: Therapeutic Recreational Specialist
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Obtains information pertaining to participant interests, preferences, abilities, and clinical
needs
Interprets medical record information and conducts mental and physical evaluations
Develops individual treatment plans and devises specific activities to improve participant
physical and mental health
Develops therapeutic programs for various typesofdisabilities
Devises effective methods and procedures for difficult cases involving multiple medical
diagnoses
Coordinates overall treatment plans with treatment team and participant's family or
caregiver
Provides necessary equipment, materials, instruction, and motivation to successfully
engage participant
Documents treatments and participant progress in medical record
Discusses participant progress with treatment team
Performs other related duties as assigned
As well as other duties as assigned
Awards:
1995 CertificateofAppreciation Service Award
1995 Meritorious Public Service Award
1992 Founders Award (National Head Injury Foundation)
1989 DC Certificate Recognizing Outstanding Performance
1986 Employee of the Year
. JOB RELATED TRAINING COURSES
Therapeutic Recreation Training, Anatomy and Kinesiology
Training in Orienteering Directionality
Excellent Research Ability and Problem Solving Skills
Working knowledge of wide variety of arts and crafts disciplines (drawing, painting, silk-
screening, tie-dye/batik)
Etching Techniques
Woodworking
Metal Smiting
Photography, Filmmaking and Stage Crafts
Sculpture (wood, metal, stone)
. COMPUTER SKILLS
Windows 7, 8, current version
References: Upon Request
 Executive Office of the Mayor - Office of Talent and Appointments
John A, Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert
Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert worked for over 30 years in federal and local
government, including positions at the United States Census Bureau, the
Department of the Interior and in various capacities in the District of
Columbia Department ofParks and Recreation. Ms. Ruffin-Colbert also
is a current memberofthe District of Columbia Board of Professional
Counseling.
Ms. Ruffin-Colbert has experience working in therapeutic settings with
the disabled, assessing and developing recreational therapy and working
in occupational training settings. She currently volunteers with various
neighborhood cultural and safety organizations.
A Ward6 resident, Ms. Ruffin-Colbert received a BachelorofArts in Studio Arts from Seton Hill
College.
 GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
x Ok Ok
WE ARE
WASHINGTON
|
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
Ronan Gulstone, Steve Walker
Betsy Cavendish
September 17, 2021
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of Resolution nominating Vanessa Ruffin-Colbert to the
Board of Professional Counseling.
This is to Certiffy that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call me at 202-724-7681.
Elizabeth Cavendish
The Joha A. Wilson Building > 1550Pennsylvania Avenue, NW > Suite300+ Washington,
DIC. 20001 > Ofitee
(202) 724-7681